Just another reason to stay away from those non-aba schools. They are NOT good schools, not matter what way you want to argue. Unless you are staying in a state that recognizes that specific school, have a job lined up, and are in no danger of moving out of state, they are one of the worst investments you can have. I can not emphasize that enough. If not only for thier HORRIBLE bar passage rates, just the fact that most states will NOT let you even SIT AT THE BAR EXAM.

UChicago- NoNorthwestern- Probably No, but a slim chanceKent- Probably in with $$

Also, not sure I would call it a hardcore upward trend. Looks like you had one good year. No offense, but not a huge upward trend, especially when your grades went down senior year.

The chances will change if perhaps you can get a 173+, but your GPA will hurt you in the first two schools, especially since a 170 probably won't impress them all that much, since it is about average for those schools.

"Rutgers University was the first college I enrolled in immediately following my graduation from high school. Due to financial restraints, I spent most of my effort in providing and caring for my family. While I am proud of the job that I did, my acadmemic work suffered, however my grades since returning to school in September of 2007 are more evident of who I am. During that time, I have received grades of A- or above for each of my classes. Currently, I am a diligent, hard working student as evidenced by my 3.98 grade point average since returning to school. Further, I now assist students with their studies as a consultant at Kean University Speech Lab. This demonstrates my true capabilities for my learning of law. I plan on continuing this trend of personal growth and improvement throughout the rest of my life."

Ya, kind of went off the deepend with editing, but I think that sounds great.

I do not have an intamate knowledge of what the schools are looking for in an addendum, however, I would say try and stay more positive. It sounds like excuses, and not saying that its not reasonable, but they would rather hear of overcoming.

Phrase it someting like, "The grades that I recieved in the fall of 2002 are not a true indicator of my abilities or work ethic. I provided for my family in a tough period, which affected my academics, however, I was able to overcome this and ended very strongly".....just something along those lines. Pretend its an interview, always sping positive.

One major thing I noticed in undergrad, was that high school had absolutly zero impact on college. I was a good student in high school, not great, mostly B's and A's (in that order), and that transfered to mostly A's and B's in college. However, I know people who had mostly C's in high school that graduated Summa Cum Ladue (which is a 3.7+ in my UG). I also know of people who had a 4.6 in high school that dropped out of college freshman year. I only had one school even ask me what my high school GPA was (for law school at least).

Its not a major cocern at all. I do disagree a bit with Bigs with the fluff courses. Yes, if you have a few that will not be a problem at all, but you load up with them A) you will be totally unprepaired if law school doesn't work out B) most law schools DO look at that (my aunt works at a t4 law school admissions office, she says that is certainly a factor, but to an extent of course) C) if you can not handle work in undergrad, law school will not be a smart investment. Do good work in undergrad and take courses that will help you in your major and with what you want to do in your career. It is never a smart move to half ass an education. You are paying thousands of dollars, make it worth it. It WILL come back to bite you, I have seen it first hand many, many times.

But thats beside the point. Don't give up if you want to do it. Just go to an ABA school and I am sure you will be fine. Go to the school that makes you happies in undergrad, I chose a small school in central Massachusetts over schools like Ohio State and whatnot, becuase I was happier there, and still go into one of my top choice law schools. If you are happy you will do better. Just start looking into law school the summer of junior year between study coures for LSAT, start thinking about where you can see yourself going to law school, and start looking things over a bit, then summer of senior year take the LSAT and start looking at schools pretty hardcore. It is better to go strait through (so I am told by many) than to take time off, strictly in a getting used to doing schoolwork sense. Going strait through will not help you in admissions.

they better choose carefully the words they use because that could be considered extortion or blackmail, possibly. It is sleazy- IMHO

I don't know man, you are really pushing it here. To say it is sleazy, ok, fair assesment and at least that is up for debate, but to say its blackmail? Extortion? You are really pushing it. Saying things like that almost defeats your entire argument. You can't be serious, can you?

Some people could get into an ABA school, but they have other issues. For example the legally blind guy who got a 173 on his LSAT could have gotten into some elite schools.

Yes, but for everyone one of those, there are 100 that did poorly on the LSAT, and wanted badly for law to be thier field so they went to that school chasing a dream. I am not against that, but I am saying that those schools are flat out worse. Its not much of an argument. His options are very limited now, for instance, lets say his wife gets a great promotion to Boston, and they decide to move. His law career is now over. He is not a member or even eligible to sit at the Massachusetts bar.

I love stories where somebody works thier way through a disablility, and that mans story is great. However, no, not everyone can have a 4.0 and a 180. But people with a 2.0 and a 130 shouldn't be in law school, plain and simple. There needs to be a cutoff to make lawyers have any legitamcy. Now if a school takes a chance on those numbers (ABA school), then power to the person, they must have impressive factors, however, in general they will not be accepted. Those are (generally) the people that go to those regional schools. Again, I am not saying there is no chance to make it, statistically its 30% for most schools. Thats not job placement, that bar passage. Then you are limited in the states in which you can practice.

The facts are the facts, non ABA schools are worse, really no argument for the contrary, if for no other reason that the fact that you can not sit at most bars. Not everyone that goes there will fail, but for every feel good story, are 50 that are upset with the fact that they even went to law school.

Sure, some feel that way at ABA schools too...but its not even comperable to people that would feel that at the regional level.